The sermon last week was different, not something you’d ever think

The pastor actually said to lower the bar

When I was in 9^th grade my history teacher always talked about raising it

Since then I’ve always questioned if I’m legit

Am I smart enough, pretty enough, good enough

As I’ve waltzed through the phases of life

I’ve hoped people wouldn’t see through my fluff

The bar has always been there: as a metal rod in the wall daring me to pull

As a perfect GPA when I was in school

As a professional, trying to attain a lifetime of knowledge overnight

The bar is so high, so bright

As a 5k time, a moving target

As the perfect physique

Even an impeccable personality

My bar is not unique

I can’t disregard it despite therapy

The bar is there

Making me ever aware that it’s above me

But how can I lower it?

It’s fastened to the wall, it’s in my brain, it’s in my culture

It’s like a vulture preying on me

The bar is so high sometimes I can’t see

There’s a bar in your life too

It might be different but my guess is it’s not

It consumes your money, your time, your thoughts

Can you reach it?

Can you measure up?

Can you hang from the bar?

Or is it too high from where you are?

Is the bar crushing you?

Mine nearly put me on anxiety medicine

I don’t think the bar is a friend

It’s like a chocolate bar or a poisoned drink or an island in the ocean

Depending on where we are

The pastor said grace

Grace is a key that can bring the bar down

Those under the bar have to dispense it

And also take it

Mercy and kindness – choices

No faking it

I can lower your bar and you can lower mine

Via the exchange of grace

A new standard can take the bar’s place

Peace, assurance, rest

Let these be the signs that we passed the test